Pluto’s surface is extremely cold, with an average temperature near −387°F (−232°C), according to NASA. Temperatures vary with location, season and surface materials across its distant, elliptical orbit.
Why the Sun heats Pluto so little
Pluto is far beyond Neptune and receives only a small fraction of the sunlight Earth gets. The long distance makes its frozen nitrogen, methane and carbon monoxide an important part of surface and atmospheric behavior.
Ice there is not just frozen water
On Pluto, nitrogen and methane can exist as solid ices. Water ice is much harder than it is in a home freezer and can form rugged mountainous terrain under Pluto’s conditions.
Does Pluto have seasons?
Yes. Its axis is tilted and its orbit is elongated. Over its 248-Earth-year journey around the Sun, lighting and temperature changes can alter the distribution of surface frost and the thin atmosphere.
What the spacecraft observed
New Horizons revealed a complex landscape in 2015, including a bright heart-shaped region with nitrogen-rich icy plains. These findings showed that Pluto is far more dynamic than a featureless snowball.
Frequently asked question
Could a person survive on Pluto without protection?
No. Its extreme cold, near-vacuum conditions and lack of breathable air would be immediately life-threatening.
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